Advocacy groups, Jewish metal stars pay tribute to Ozzy Osbourne
'Throughout difficult times, the Osbourne family has stood proudly with the Jewish people and showed unwavering solidarity'
Pro-Israel advocacy organisations and prominent Jewish metal musicians have paid tribute to legendary Black Sabbath frontman and solo artist Ozzy Osbourne, who died this morning aged 76, praising his support for Israel and solidarity with the Jewish people.
The Osbourne family announced the death on Facebook, saying the heavy metal icon “was with his family and surrounded by love” and asking for privacy during their time of grief.
Creative Community for Peace, an advocacy group that fights boycotts against Israel in the arts industry, described Osbourne as “not only a pioneer in metal, but also a steadfast supporter of Israel and the Jewish people”.
“Throughout difficult times, the Osbourne family has stood proudly with the Jewish people and showed unwavering solidarity,” CCFP said in a statement.
The organisation noted Osbourne’s unwavering stance against cultural boycotts, saying: “Leave it to Ozzy to be present and take part in his own epic tribute concert. That’s a true legend.”
CCFP concluded: “Ozzy may be gone, but legends like him don’t die—they echo forever.”
Pro-Israel advocacy organisation StandWithUs praised Osbourne as “more than a rock star” and “a true friend of Israel who stood proudly against antisemitism”.
“He played in Tel Aviv despite boycott calls, visited Yad Vashem and the Western Wall, and embraced the Jewish roots at the heart of his family,” StandWithUs said.
Disturbed frontman David Draiman, a prominent pro-Israel Jewish musician, paid an emotional tribute to his “dear teacher” and friend.
“Goodbye my dear teacher… a father to us all… my friend. I love you @ozzyosbourne and I will miss you terribly,” Draiman wrote.
Kobi Farhi, singer of Israeli metal band Orphaned Land, wrote: “Farewell, prince of darkness. Thank you for the music and legacy.”
Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian, who is Jewish, described Osbourne as “one of the giants, one of the actual architects of the genre, one of the originals”.
Ian revealed he had been with Osbourne in Birmingham just over a week ago discussing Black Sabbath’s recent farewell show Back to the Beginning.
“Ozzy was in a great mood, laughing and cracking us up,” Ian wrote. “This heartbreaking shared experience is palpable, like a disturbance in the force.”
Both advocacy groups extended condolences to Osbourne’s wife Sharon and their children Jack, Kelly, Aimee and Louis, with StandWithUs and CCFP saying “may his memory be a blessing”.